CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Police opened an investigation Monday after six rainbow-colored nooses were found hanging from a tree at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee.
The nooses sparked outrage on campus because of the implied links to racism and anti-LGBT sentiments. However, multiple students said the display was an art project.
Campus police found the brightly colored ropes organized into the colors of a rainbow near the school's fine arts building around 5 p.m. Monday. University President Alisa White called the nooses “deeply disturbing” in a statement Monday posted on the school's Facebook page.
In response, multiple students said the nooses were part of a sculpture class.
“Regardless of the intent, the display has no place on our campus,” she said. “I am saddened, and I am sorry for the hurt and offense this has caused and want our students, faculty and staff to know that it will not be tolerated.”
A student who declined to be identified told The Leaf-Chronicle that the project was approved by the professor in an introductory sculpture class.
School officials did not immediately respond to the claims.